More Information

Cut back on lawn watering in the fall and only irrigate in the mornings to reduce the chance of brown patch fungus disease.

Prune roses to remove dead wood and open up the middle of the bushes. Resume fertilizing and pest-control spray schedules. Feed with one-half cup of slow-release lawn fertilizer for small plants and 1 cup for large plants.

Select seeds for individual flowers, such as bluebonnets, poppies, coreopsis, Mexican hat, prairie verbena or wine cup, or plant a mix. The advantage of a mix is that it doesn't matter whether winter and spring are dry or wet; at least some of the flower varieties will germinate and prosper.

With the exception of a few shade-loving species (snailweed and Salvia coccinea), most wildflowers do best in the sun.

Wildflowers can tolerate poor soils, but they cannot compete well with other plants. Recognize a good wildflower site as a place where there is no sod or weed layer and bare soil is visible. Rock emerging from the soil is OK as long as the seed can reach some soil.

Soil preparation is not necessary, but raking before the seed is spread will increase germination. Never cover the seed with soil. Most gardeners rely on rain to provide the moisture needed for germination and bloom.

Calvin R. Finch is a horticulturist and director of the Texas A&M Water Conservation and Technology Center. Contact him at calvin.finch@tamu.edu.